Environmental Improvement Commission

Tuesday, March 22, 2022 7:30 I. Call to Order: Chairman Ted Witte called the meeting to order at 7:30. Present were Shamili Ajgaonkar, Cathy Coleman, Nancy Flynn, Brian McKee, Kay McKeen, Tony Pope, David Popham, Allison Torrence, and Bob Young. Absent were Mike Nicolosi and Seema Wadia. II. Approval of Minutes: Bob moved that the minutes from the February meeting be approved. Kay seconded. The minutes were approved by unanimous voice vote. III. Budget Report: Bob reported that $2241 plant sale deposit to Possibility Place was paid, and $19,759 remains open to spend. IV. Public Comment: None V. Reports: 1. Electronic Recycling (March 12): Bob reported that he and David, Jim Truesdale, Tony Maszak, and SCARCE volunteers from West Chicago and Elmhurst University staffed the event. It was busy and steady. 2. Adopt a Highway (March 5): Nancy reported that she and her husband Brent, Bob, Ted, and Brian collected 8 bags of garbage and 1 bag of recycling. Bob reported that it needs done again. VI. Upcoming Projects: 1. Electronics Recycling (April 9): Bob, Tony, and David will work this event. 2. Recycling Extravaganza (April 2): Kay brought fliers and asked for volunteers. The event is 8:30- 11:30, and set up will begin at 7. Volunteers should enter on Liberty. Kay will ask communications department to do an email blast about recent fires in shredding trucks due to people not checking their paper for batteries and other flammable materials. David suggested removing paper from boxes in stacks rather than dumping the whole box into the toter. 3. Native Plant Sale (April 23): Tony reported that they have volunteers and bins in the Public Works yard area will be emptied for the plants. Set up begins Friday, April 22, at noon. Sale on Saturday is 8:30-11:30. 4. Prairie Path Clean Up (April 23): Seema emailed that there are almost 50 volunteers signed up—a combination of families and groups. 5. Arbor Day (April 29): Emerson School 9:30: Kay reported that a white oak will be planted. 6. National Night Out (Aug 2): Memorial Park 5-8 EIC will have a table. Kay will get leak detector tablets, and Brian will ask his company to donate packets of prairie seeds. VII. Unfinished Business: 1. Battery Recycling: Kay will bring electronic scale and credit card reader, Cathy will bring card table and chair. Cost is $2/lb.  ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES April 22, 2022 2. Wheaton Sustainability Award: Shamili reported that she has been communicating with Susan Bishell and the nomination form is ready to go live on April 1. Nominations will be open until April 30. EIC will review nominations at April and May meetings, and we hope to present the awards at the June 6 City Council Meeting for World Environment Day. Shamili will share draft award with Susan and see if she has any suggestions. 3. Boards and Commissions Ordinance status update: Mike Dzugan acknowledged receiving EIC comments and told Ted he will be in touch. 4. Business Composting: Kay reported that Tanya from Andrew’s Garden contacted her, and they will set up a meeting to hopefully move forward with this. 5. Earth Day Proclamation: Kay and Ted shared the minor revisions and added the Wheaton Sustainability Award. The Proclamation will be presented to EIC by Mayor Seuss at the April 4 City Council Meeting at 7pm. Ted will be there to receive it, but any members who can join him would be appreciated. VIII. New Business: 1. Funding for EIC events: see below 2. Book Procurement Emerson School Arbor Day: Kay moved that we spend $60 to purchase three books about oak trees at various age levels to donate to the Emerson School Library in conjunction with the Arbor Day Celebration. Bob seconded. The vote carried by unanimous voice vote. 3. Erosion Control: Brian made two recommendations for programs that the EIC could undertake to bring awareness in this area. One is replacing the plastic mesh used in reseeding with a biodegradable option. He will investigate cost differences. The second is that seeds of invasive species such as birds foot trefoil and crown vetch are still sold and used, especially along highways. He will research some native alternatives. IX. Adjournment: Bob moved that the meeting be adjourned. Nancy seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 8:30. The next regular EIC meeting is scheduled for April 26, 2022, at 7:30 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Cathy Coleman 2